THE former owner of a North Wales pier faces a battle with Government lawyers to win it back.

Steve Hunt last night vowed to regain control of Colwyn Bay Victoria pier within weeks.

But it is not clear exactly who now owns the grade II-listed historic structure, which is in disrepair.

The Treasury Solicitor’s office is now believed to be in control. It is understood administrator Royce Peeling Green (RPG), which has been in charge for three years, has given up its claim.

Conwy Council wants to buy the pier and give it a new lease of life – but the switch in control may scupper this proposal.

And the Welsh Government is being asked to help fund repairs.

Wales Office Minister and Clwyd West MP David Jones said he wanted to know why RPG left it “so late” to give up its rights to the pier.

Mr Jones said: “Stephen Hunt’s trustee in bankruptcy, RPG, is seeking to disclaim Colwyn Bay pier as an onerous asset. This is an extremely worrying development.

“The council resolved ago to seek to purchase the pier from the trustee. It would appear this now cannot proceed.”

Mr Jones believes RPG has given up its right to the pier after a report revealed structural problems. He added: “The pier has now been in the trustee’s hands for over three years and its poor condition has always been patently obvious. People will want to know why the trustee has left it so late to seek to disclaim the asset and I believe they are entitled to an explanation.”

He said Conwy Council had been “woefully inept”, except for Cllr Brian Cossey who has worked on the issue. He urged the authority to start talks with Mr Hunt.

He said: “The consequence of not doing so will be expensive and may well also be the loss of the pier.”

No spokesman was available from the Treasury Solicitor’s office nor from Royce Peeling Green.

However, Conwy CB Council acting chief executive Ken Finch said: “We have no comment to make at this time. We are assessing the implications of the latest events.”

Mr Hunt hopes to sell or lease the pier to Conwy CB Council. It could then lease it to a charity, which could apply for Lottery cash.

Mr Hunt added: “I have invested £1m in the pier.

“I aim to get that back, not necessarily in one lump. I ain’t giving up.”

Meanwhile, Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has written to the Welsh Government’s Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage seeking funding.